Journey of an Artist

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"People really just need to be heard." - Lauren O'Connor.

 It's been a rough few years for mental health. The pandemic, the fear, the feelings of isolation, the political unrest--all of these have contributed to what sometimes feels like a Herculean fight. But if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, or struggling to find purpose and community, there IS hope.

Foundation 45 is that hope.

In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Lauren O'Connor, the President and Executive Director of Foundation 45 in Deep Ellum.  A drummer by trade and an audio engineer by training, Lauren didn't initially see herself working in nonprofit--but seeing her friends in the industry suffering from mental health and substance abuse issues drove her to make a difference. 

Lauren and Emmeline talk about witnessing the healing power of music during their time as volunteers at Girls Rock Dallas. Then, Lauren shares how her passion for mental health and arts advocacy led her to work more permanently in nonprofit. She discusses the amazing resources Foundation 45 provides for those in recovery, those struggling with depression or anxiety, and those in the LGBTQIA+ community who feel marginalized or voiceless. She highlights the incredible work done by Foundation 45's counselors, and the communities the organization has built in its support groups.

To learn more about the incredible work Foundation 45 is doing, or to benefit from its services, please visit their official website. 

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

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"Lord, thank you for taking me through this journey. Grant me strength as I go through each day. Grant me a cheerful spirit and give me courage to do whatever needs to be done." - Angela Mendoza.

Tony Mendoza was a CFO. His wife, Angela, was an accountant. They were, by self definition, not "creative" people. Yet they created a beautiful life together by choosing to love each other through life's complicated curve balls, honoring the wild journey God had given them, and welcoming three compassionate children into the world. Tony took up the guitar at Angela's suggestion, but he didn't necessarily consider himself a creative person--and certainly not a musician!

Then Angela was diagnosed with cancer, and everything changed.

In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Tony Mendoza to talk about his and Angela's moving love story--from  the moment they met to how their love has changed in the wake of Angela's death. Tony shares how Angela's cheerful spirit, persistent grace, and unyielding determination inspired her to share her cancer journey with friends and family through CaringBridge. He also talks about how she survived three incredible years in spite of the doctors' predictions that cancer would take her in six months. He vulnerably explains how Angela's death has challenged him to step more deeply into his creative side, how Angela co-wrote a book with him from beyond, and how their story has become a beautiful song.

To learn more about Angela's journey, please check out her phenomenally touching book, Dear Friends and Family. To help Angela's legacy live on through the students she impacts, you can donate to the scholarship in her name here. 

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

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"We live in hope."

Have you ever wondered how you can contribute to the arts if you don't feel like a traditional creative? Can you still make an impact if you're not the one drawing, or painting, or making music?

Dr. Diane Miles says yes.

In this episode, Emmeline sits down with arts advocate Dr. Diane Miles to discuss her career in education, her experience in human resources, and how she's used her skills to uplift and empower artists to step more deeply into their creative truth. They talk in depth about Diane's historical neighborhood in Dallas, the inspiration she drew from her parents, and her personal and managerial relationship with the late, legendary artist, Johnice Ingram Parker.

In Johnice's memory, Diane is now helping to manage the artist's remaining works, using the sales of those works to fund a financial award for up-and-coming artists who need support and encouragement.

To learn more about Johnice Ingram Parker, to purchase her artwork, or to donate to the scholarship fund in her name, please visit her official website. You can also see her work in person at Chocolate Secrets in Dallas through September 2022. 

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

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"Authenticity is key."

What do you do when you have so much creative energy that you can't possibly focus on just one project at a time? How do you balance all of your passion with your desire to stay sane?

Joseph Fisher-Schramm knows.

Joseph is a musician, a producer, an arranger, and the CEO and founder of the independent record label, A Study in Expression. In this episode, he sits down with Emmeline to talk about the myriad ways in which his passion for music manifests, how he collaborates with other artists, what inspires him, and why he felt the need to create a video game and accompanying board game called Gunpowder Tea.  They also talk about the benefits and drawbacks of formal music education and why authenticity is such an important part of being a prolific creative professional.

To learn more about Joseph, or to follow his creative journey, visit his official website. You can also find him on Instagram at @joefacethefirst. 

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

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"How you do anything is how you do everything."

Have you ever wanted to learn an instrument? Did you start learning? Did you immediately start to wonder why playing an instrument is so hard?

This is your episode!

In this episode of Journey of an Artist, Emmeline sits down with YouTube star and fellow pianist, Marina from The Piano Keys, to talk about why it matters not just that you practice your instrument, but how you practice your instrument.  They talk about traditional music education versus effective music education, the importance of music theory, and why music should be fun! Marina also shares some of the tips from her new book, Practice Makes Permanent: The Busy Pianist's Guide to  Getting the Best Results in the Shortest Time.

Music doesn't have to be a chore--but it certainly can be. Give this episode a listen to find out how you can bring the joy back to your practicing sessions.  Plus, find out how Marina built a business with her musical knowledge--and how she continues to expand her empire.

To learn more about Marina from The Piano Keys, or to access her online courses, visit her official website. You can also check out her new book, her YouTube page, and her sheet music. 

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

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If you're struggling with your artistic identity or contemplating a shift in a new direction, look no further. Blue Capricorn is here to empathize with you!

In this episode of Journey of an Artist, Emmeline sits down with alternative pop artist Blue Capricorn to talk about the nonlinear nature of the musician's journey.  From his early days in school band to his search for the right producer, Blue Capricorn gets candid about the ups and downs of the artistic process--and shares how beautiful it feels to finally be stepping more and more into their own.  The start can be a rocky one; you just have to keep going.

To learn more about Blue Capricorn, or to follow their musical journey, find Blue Capricorn on Spotify or visit the official website. For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of an Artist, follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic. You can also visit the official Journey of Series official webpage!

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

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“It’s normal to have ups and downs. That comes with the world. It’s how you handle those ups and downs.” - Lamar Strait

Do you ever feel like you can't focus on just one thing? Do you ever feel like you have too many ideas and too little time? Are you fighting negative voices in your head that say that you can't do it all? This episode is for you!

In this episode of Journey of an Artist, Emmeline sits down with the multi-passionate entrepreneur Lamar Strait to talk about bringing ideas to life--from music to TV to fashion. Lamar discusses the ups and downs of his artistic journey and shares the ways he stays motivated to keep growing, maturing, and deepening his understanding of himself and his art. He also gives a sneak peek into his plans for his clothing brand, Mind Control; his new album, The Transition; and his upcoming film, Triple D.  You can even hear some of his music!

To learn more about Lamar Strait, or to follow his artistic journey, visit him on Instagram at @iamlamarstrait. For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of an Artist, follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic or visit the Journey of Series official webpage.

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

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How to you fight for your dream in spite of the challenges? How do you use the obstacles as motivation? How can you turn roadblocks into new paths to success?

In this episode, Emmeline and Dr. Mona Jhaveri tackle these questions and more.  Mona is a research scientist with a degree in biochemistry who began her career in science by working on a cure for cancer. Her discoveries led her to start Foligo Therapeutics, Inc.--a biotech start-up designed to bring cancer treatments to the masses.  After challenges in funding made it difficult for her to bring treatments to patients in need, Mona started Music Beats Cancer, an organization designed to help crowdfund products introduced by new biochemical research. Here, she shares how obstacles inspired her to change paths, how her desire for positive change has deepened over time, and how she's more motivated now than ever.

To learn more about Music Beats Cancer and how you can get involved, please visit their official website. You can also follow the organization on Twitter and Instagram.  To learn more about Mona Jhaveri, or to follow her journey, you can join her on Twitter or Instagram.  For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of an Artist, follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic or visit the Journey of Series official webpage.

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

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Are you seeking proof that God has a plan for you? Have setbacks or traumatic experiences discouraged you? Are you looking for ways to get back into your art?

If you  answered "yes" to any of those questions, Cryste DeShields has a story you need to hear. As celebrity photojournalist and co-founder of Dallas Music Network, Cryste has found multiple ways for her artistic passion to manifest. However, she's also faced setbacks that could've ended her career. Exposure to toxins left her with medical complications, and she was present as a photographer for the Las Vegas shooting in 2017. Yet those medical complications inspired her to pursue painting and photography, and her experience with PTSD inspired her to co-found Dallas Music Network.

In this episode, Emmeline and Cryste talk about purpose, passion, and how something good can come from something bad. They also discuss their mutual work with Dallas Music Network and how Cryste is hoping to use the organization to change the world for musicians and their fans.

To learn more about Cryste or to follow her artistic journey, find her on Instagram at @crystedeshields. To learn more about Dallas Music Network and how you can get involved, please visit their official website. For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of an Artist, follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic or visit the Journey of Series official webpage.

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

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Did your artistic journey take you in a different direction than you'd initially anticipated? Do you struggle between satisfaction with your current path and doubt about whether you should've stuck to your initial direction? This episode is for you!

Here, Emmeline sits down with singer-songwriter and music instructor Rebekah Prim to talk about the call to perform, the desire for connection through music, and the ways in which our paths as creative professionals can deviate from our initial plan. Rebekah shares the unconventional path she took toward teaching and the joy she gets from sharing music with students. She also discusses the importance of continuing education, how production complications can stall a project, and how she stays inspired to create.

To learn more about Rebekah Prim, visit her official website or inquire about lessons. You can also find her on Spotify and Instagram.  To learn more about Melody of Hope, visit their official website.  For behind-the-scenes info and more about Journey of an Artist, follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic or visit the Journey of Series official webpage.

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.